JEDDAH, 18 June — It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away but it may be better to see the doctor once in a while.
This caveat comes from Filipino medical practitioners in Jeddah, who observed that many community members are not in tip-top shape.
“Many of us are not health-conscious,” said Dr. Wilhemina D. Victor of Abuzinadah Hospital, one of those who volunteered for the medical and dental mission held at the Philippine Consulate last Friday.
Fifty percent or 100 of the 200 who came to the consulate were hypertensive, while twenty-five percent, or 50 were either diabetic or have high blood sugar count.
Victor, who for the last four years had participated with almost all the medical missions in the Jeddah, glumly added that although most of the OFW’s have health insurance, they don’t go for a checkup until they are ill.
When they do see a doctor, that’s the only time they discover that they are suffering from either hypertension or diabetes, two of the most common ailments OFW’s are suffering. One patient this writer chanced upon was found with “too high” blood sugar count that he was advised to see his company doctor as soon as he is able.
The medical and dental mission was part of a month-long activity to commemorate the 104th Philippine Independence Day. More than 100 volunteers staffed the five stations that offered examination in diabetes, dental, medical, ophthalmology, and physical therapy.
“I’m happy to render service to my fellow OFW’s,” said Malyn Dacuya, a nurse at United Doctors Hospital, and one of the first-time volunteers at the registration station. She and her team at the station made sure that all who came were registered and referred to the proper station for examination especially those with complains.
A beehive of activity was the ophthalmology section that offered refraction. Among those who administered to patients was Maria Anelyn Junio, a first-timer volunteer, and a nurse at Maghrabi Hospital. Despite the rush of patients at the station, she was still upbeat.
“Okay lang at naka-share ng knowledge sa ibang tao,” she mused. Most of the OFW’s who visited the station found out that while their vision seemed to be alright, they needed reading glasses. To make it easier for these OFW’s to purchase reading glasses should they decide, each were given a card with detailed information of the lenses they need.
Che T. de Castro, a dentist from Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, mirrored the same sentiment. She had just extracted a second tooth. “I enjoyed giving services to others,” she said. De Castro had volunteered her services as a dentist for the last three years.
At the physical therapy station, there was a long queue. Most of those who came were found suffering from muscle spasms due to uncomfortable conditions in their workplace and at their quarters. After a session, however, those who availed of the services of physical therapists Vic Elix and Leonardo Morera expressed their satisfaction. “Gumanda ang pakiramdam ko pagkatapos ng masahe,” Primo Castillo, a 60-year-old Tours and Travel employee, grinned ear to ear.
John Asperilla, chairman of the Pangasinan Saudi Workers Association (PSWA) which spearheaded the medical mission, said that apart from the medical volunteers, various groups and individuals also helped.
These included the OFW Cooperative Council (OFWCC), the Kasapi Congress, OFW International Holdings, Tropicana Restaurant, Harry Ramsden Restaurant, National Biscuit Company, CISA and Cathay Pacific.
Circulo Ilonggo Saudi Arabia (CISA), the association of Hiligaynon-speakers in Jeddah, donated the unused medicines they have kept after the medical mission they conducted early this year. Others donated food, drinks, and giveaway items to volunteers and participants.
The medical mission was the project of PSWA headed by Isabelo Felipe. Filipino health practitioners who volunteered came from Abuzinada Hospital, Saudi German Hospital, Bugshan Hospital, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh, Dr. Erfan and Bagedo Hospital, King Fahd General Hospital, Al Maghrabi Hospital, United Doctors Hospital, Bab Makkah/Jadulah Polyclinic, Musrefah Polyclinic, Al Timraz Dental Polyclinic, and Saudi American Polyclinic.
Meanwhile, the scheduled activities for the celebration of the 104th Independence Day would continue as planned, said Kasapi spokesman Asperilla. The next games in the men and women volleyball tournaments will resume on June 20-21 at the consulate. The much-awaited quiz contest will be held in the morning of June 21, while the cultural show will start at 6:30 p.m.
In the basketball game between Riyadh Archers and Jeddah All-Stars, last week, Jeddah All-Stars swept the visitors, winning the final match 73-69 in an aborted game due to technical problems with the electronic scoreboard and the tight flight schedule of the visitors. With a flight to catch, the visitors conceded the match with still 1:43 minutes to go in the final period.
The day before, Jeddah stopped their rivals in a riveting 74-71 triumph. The two-game exhibition was a project of the Kasapi, currently chaired by Ben Garcia, in cooperation with Philippine Consulate.